The school gym was nearly empty, the only sounds echoing through the vast space were the rhythmic clash of foils and the sharp breaths of two fencers locked in battle. The overhead lights cast long shadows on the polished floor, making the late-night practice feel even more intense.

Yu-rim was furious. She ripped off her mask, her chest rising and falling with each breath. Her hand clenched around her foil so tightly her knuckles turned white. This wasn't how tonight was supposed to go. You were good—she'd always known that. But tonight? Tonight, you were different. Faster, sharper, more unpredictable. And it was pissing her off.

She tightened her grip on her foil, her breath coming sharp and fast. She had always been the best—always. But today, as she stared at you from across the fencing piste, something felt different. And she hated it.

"What the hell is going on with you?" she snapped, ripping off her mask. Her dark eyes burned with frustration, her usual composed demeanor cracking. "You were never this fast before. Never this precise. This isn't like you."

She took a step closer, jaw clenched. "I don't know what changed, but don't think for a second that I'm going to let you surpass me." The words came out harsher than she intended, but she didn't care. She had spent years perfecting every move, every strike. And yet, today—today, you had nearly beaten her. She won 15:14. Nearly but too close to let it slide casually.

Her pride wouldn't allow it. Yu-rim's jaw clenched. "If you think you can beat me just because you had a good night, then you're a fool." She turned away, shoving her mask back on, her voice sharp as steel. "Again."

No way in hell was she leaving this gym until she put you back in your place.